Beta-Carotene

Beta-carotene is a pigment in plants that give them their color. In the body, beta-carotene is changed to vitamin A.

Side Effects of Beta-Carotene

There is no RDA for beta-carotene.
Eating foods with beta-carotene together with other antioxidants does seem to protect against some kinds of cancer. However, beta-carotene supplements may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer in people who drink or smoke heavily.

The most common side effect of excessive β-carotene consumption is carotenodermia, a condition that presents as a conspicuous orange skin tint arising from deposition of the carotenoid in the outermost layer of the epidermis.

Chronic, high doses of synthetic β-carotene supplements have been associated with a higher rate of lung cancer in smokers. Additionally, supplemental β-carotene may increase the risk of prostate cancer, intracerebral hemorrhage, and cardiovascular and total mortality in people who smoke cigarettes or have a history of high-level exposure to asbestos.

Beta-carotene supplements can also interact with statins, cholestyramine, orlistat.

Beta-Carotene and cancer

Chronic high doses of β-carotene supplementation increases the probability of lung cancer in cigarette smokers.

β-Carotene is used to help prevent breast cancer although there are currently no findings to support that diets high in β-carotene are associated with lower breast cancer risk.

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